They all want to change my future.

Chapter 56 Deer Park

The deer park is located in the western suburbs of Beijing, and it takes quite a while to get there.

A horse-drawn carriage was traveling along the official road.

The horse was a fine horse, quite intelligent, with an extraordinary bearing, and it pulled the cart automatically.

The car is also a great car; there's absolutely no bumps while sitting in it.

This was naturally the carriage that Ji Baizhi used to escort Li Zhi to Zhaoyang Mansion last time.

Unfortunately, Li Zhi was the only one in the carriage this time, and Ji Baizhi naturally wouldn't go out of the manor for such a trivial matter.

As for Lin Yueyin, yesterday's events clearly left her with some reservations.

Li Zhi invited her several times but she never showed up; however, it's certain she was with him.

After all, the deer park used to be her family's property, so naturally she wanted to take a look.

Spring is in full bloom, wildflowers are blooming sporadically along the roadside, and the wind carries a hint of warmth.

Li Zhi lifted the curtain and looked at the spring scenery outside. He felt it was quite nice, so he simply left the carriage, came to the front of the carriage, and slowly drove the carriage while enjoying the scenery.

When they arrived at the gate of the deer park, servants were already waiting.

Li Zhi presented his visiting card, which the servant respectfully accepted and led him into the garden.

The scenery inside the park is indeed unique.

The trees stand in a dense, intertwined pattern, and the clear calls of deer can be heard from time to time in the woods.

After walking a few steps, several fawns peeked out from behind the trees, looking curiously at the visitors.

As Li Zhi walked and observed, he noticed that some deer had their antlers sawed off, leaving only short stubs, which puzzled him.

"Are we harvesting the deer antlers now? Isn't that a bit too early?"

As he was pondering, the servant who had led the way brought him to a spacious training ground. Stone platforms and wooden benches were set up at the edge of the ground, where a figure was already waiting.

It was Lu Jiu who invited Li Zhilai.

"Young Master Li, welcome."

Lu Jiu rose to greet him with a hearty smile, "You've come from afar, why not have a cup of deer blood wine to warm yourself up? It's a specialty of my deer farm."

Wait a minute, isn't this a royal garden?

Logically speaking, all the products produced belong to the royal family. The way you're talking makes it sound like they've become your private property.

Li Zhi raised an eyebrow, but did not refuse, nodding in agreement.

The wine was served, deep red like blood, but smooth and mellow on the palate, with a faint herbal aroma.

After finishing the cup, a warm feeling rose in my stomach.

Seeing Li Zhi's straightforwardness, Lu Jiu clapped his hands and laughed, "Young Master Li is indeed straightforward. Why don't we relax for a bit before we talk?"

Li Zhi put down his wine cup, somewhat speechless. "I came here to compete in martial arts, what are you doing?"

"No need," Li Zhi refused directly. "Sparring with others is relaxing for me too."

This abrupt and disrespectful response made Lu Jiu narrow his eyes, but soon he burst into laughter:

"I was being presumptuous. Young Master Li has seen such a beauty as Lady Qu, how could he still be interested in an ordinary woman?"

Li Zhi sensed something was wrong. Lu Jiu didn't seem to be here to fight him. His feigned politeness made it seem like he wanted something from Li Zhi.

"Let's be honest," Li Zhi asked directly, "What do you want?"

This directness startled Lu Jiu, but then a glint of light flashed in his eyes: "Young Master Li has quite the keen intuition. Today, in our sparring, let's add some stakes. I'm willing to wager the sword technique in your hand with the 'Breaking Army Spear Technique'."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi suddenly realized that the Broken Army Spear in the Lu family's possession was incomplete, so they would naturally try to find other techniques.

Li Zhi's sudden, decisive blow that defeated his enemy in one move was naturally a powerful and domineering sword technique, which was well-suited to the Lu family.

Seeing that Li Zhi didn't answer, Lu Jiu assumed he didn't know and began to explain:

"Young Master Li, do you know that this 'Breaking Army Spear Technique' is a skill that leads directly to the Grandmaster level, and it is extremely rare in the world?"

Li Zhi naturally understood the hidden meaning in those words: You've hit the jackpot, why don't you agree quickly? If it were an ordinary hothead, he would probably jump out and explain.

The same applies to my own swordsmanship.

However, Shikaku's words were meant to provoke him.

After all, this sword technique is powerful, but it only has one move, so it's hard to determine what level of skill it is.

Li Zhi smiled and said, "If you put it that way, wouldn't you be at a huge loss?"

Seeing that Li Zhi hadn't fallen for the trick, Lu Jiu paused, then said with an air of arrogance, "Because I won't lose, so, Young Master Li, do you dare to bet?"

"Of course I dare."

Li Zhi took out a book from his pocket: "But we need to change the stakes. I'll bet the complete version of 'The Breaking Army Spear Technique'."

Shikaku's gaze fell on the cover of the booklet, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

He stared at the booklet for a long time, his breathing gradually becoming rapid. Finally, he raised his head, his voice a little dry:

"Where...did you obtain this item?"

"You don't need to ask that," Li Zhi said, putting away the booklet. "Just tell me, are you going to gamble or not?"

Shikaku remained silent for a long time, then let out a heavy sigh: "I'll bet!"

"it is good."

Li Zhi agreed, but then changed the subject: "However, you need to change your bet, since mine is the complete version."

"Young master, what do you want? As for money, I can offer ten thousand taels of gold."

Lu Jiu quickly retorted, clearly showing that he really wanted the full version.

Li Zhi looked around. There were only him and Lu Jiu around. This situation was different from what Qu Hongxiao had expected.

In her opinion, Shikaku must have challenged him to make a name for himself.

Therefore, there should be a lot of people watching.

Unexpectedly, they came for the cultivation technique.

Such private betting is best kept secret by as few people as possible.

These two people are standing in different positions, so they are seeing different things.

In Qu Hongxiao's view, it would be very simple for the Lu family to improve their marksmanship; they could just join the army.

But the Lu family saw it differently. They had promised the Empress they would help raise deer, so why would they leave?

However, in Li Zhi's view now, it is probably because they are reluctant to give up the prosperity of the capital and the wealth of the deer park.

He gambled away ten thousand yuan without hesitation; he really has money.

"I don't want money," Li Zhi shook his head.

"What does the young master desire?"

"If I win," Li Zhi looked directly at him, "I want you to admit your defeat to me and to tell the whole story of this battle."

Lu Jiu was stunned. He remembered the rumor that Li Zhi was sent by the sect to the capital to make a name for himself, in order to overpower the Empress's faction in the Dragon Gate Examination.

So, this rumor is true.

Therefore, the martial arts technique in Li Zhi's hands is also genuine.

It's not impossible that a sect possesses a complete version of the "Breaking Army Spear Technique".

A gleam of joy flashed in Lu Jiu's eyes: "Young Master Li, this is for the sake of making a name for yourself."

"That's right." Li Zhi nodded: "You must admit it in public and use all the connections of the Lu family to spread the news throughout the capital."

Sure enough.

I was right.

A flicker of realization crossed Shikaku's eyes, quickly transforming into a complex smile: "Alright, I'll take the bet!"

He paused, then added, "If I were to win by sheer luck..."

"The gun manual is yours," Li Zhi interjected. "And I guarantee that what happened today will not be told to anyone else."

Shikaku took a deep breath, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "It's a deal!"

It's a deal.

The two exchanged a smile, then stood up and walked into the center of the field.

A spring breeze swept through the deer park, rustling the leaves in the trees.

Several deer peeked out from the forest, their clear eyes reflecting the two figures gradually taking their stances in the arena.